Ebola virus disease in West Africa
1 August 2014 No.677
An outbreak of Ebola virus occurred in Guinea has now prevailed in the neighboring countries including Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. According to
the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of 27 July 2014, the total 1,323cases (confirmed, probable and suspect cases) resulting in 729 deaths attributed to Ebola virus disease were reported from the four countries. In addition, between 24 and 27 July 2014, 122 new cases of Ebola virus disease were reported from the four countries, of which 80 new cases were in Liberia and 33 new cases were in Guinea.
In order to prevent the epidemic from spreading further, efforts are currently ongoing to scale up and strengthen all aspects of the response in the four countries in cooperation with other countries including US and EU and several international organisations such as WHO. However, nobody can tell with certainty when the situation in those areas returns to normal.
Ebola virus is primarily transmitted through contact with the blood, secretions or other bodily fluids of infected person. The incubation period, that is the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days. Ebola virus disease outbreaks have a case fatality rate of approximately 50% up to 90%. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people. Therefore, in the absence of effective treatment and a human vaccine, it is of critical importance to raise awareness of the risk factors for Ebola infection and to take the protective measures for reduction in risk of infection and death. In this respect, WHO encourages to avoid close physical contact with virus patient, to wear gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment when taking care of patients and to be vigilant about regular hand washing.
Members whose vessels may call at a port in West Africa with an outbreak should instruct their crew to avoid unnecessary contact with the outside and to take sanitary precautions including frequent hand-washing.
In order to prevent the epidemic from spreading further, efforts are currently ongoing to scale up and strengthen all aspects of the response in the four countries in cooperation with other countries including US and EU and several international organisations such as WHO. However, nobody can tell with certainty when the situation in those areas returns to normal.
Ebola virus is primarily transmitted through contact with the blood, secretions or other bodily fluids of infected person. The incubation period, that is the time interval from infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days. Ebola virus disease outbreaks have a case fatality rate of approximately 50% up to 90%. No licensed specific treatment or vaccine is available for use in people. Therefore, in the absence of effective treatment and a human vaccine, it is of critical importance to raise awareness of the risk factors for Ebola infection and to take the protective measures for reduction in risk of infection and death. In this respect, WHO encourages to avoid close physical contact with virus patient, to wear gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment when taking care of patients and to be vigilant about regular hand washing.
Members whose vessels may call at a port in West Africa with an outbreak should instruct their crew to avoid unnecessary contact with the outside and to take sanitary precautions including frequent hand-washing.